Plastic Belt Conveyor

Technology from Bastian Solutions

How a Plastic Belt Conveyor works

A plastic belt conveyor is a piece of industrial equipment used to transport materials or goods. The system uses a plastic belt on which items can be placed; the belt will then move along a slotted track, thereby facilitating transportation of goods. This belt will revolve around the track so the belt forms a continuous loop. Plastic belt conveyors feature interlocking plastic pieces that allow bending, making the track more versatile and able to move in various directions as needed.

The length and course of the plastic chain conveyor can vary according to its intended application, and it can be built in such a way that items or materials are transported across a flat surface, up an incline, down a slope, or even around corners. The plastic belt itself is powered by a motor that is usually fitted with one or more pulleys or cogs. The cogs will press against teeth on the bottom of the belt to propel the entire belt system forward. In order to keep the belt on track, the plastic belt conveyor will be fitted with tracks in which the teeth of the belt will fit.

Benefits of a Plastic Belt Conveyor

One of the benefits of a plastic belt conveyor is the lower cost of parts should repairs be necessary. Plastic is easily malleable during production, which means production costs tend to be lower in general. The repair of the belt will also generally be easy, since plastic tends to have some flexibility to it. Some types of plastic can be brittle, however, which means cracking may be inevitable over time, especially if the items or materials being hauled are exceptionally heavy or oddly shaped. Most belts are made from high quality plastic, however, to avoid cracking or warping. Plastic belts are also fabricated in sections and assembly like a chain. Most often only a small section of the belt needs to be replaced at one time, further reducing the replacement cost and repair time.

Plastic Belt Conveyor Applications

Like other conveyor systems, plastic belt conveyors are intended for use with certain types of materials or items, while other types of materials or items may not be suitable for this type of coneyor. Fine, granular or particulate matter, for example, may fall through the individual cogs of the plastic belt, leading to damage to the machine and a loss of materials. Small part or screw type conveyors are usually used in place of a plastic belt conveyor if fine particulate matter must be moved. The plastic conveyor system is popular in light industrial settings, as well as in food processing settings. Plastic belt conveyors can also be fitted with aligning wheels and used for an assortment of applications including, product justification, sorter, merging, gapping and descrambling. This particular type of plastic belt conveyor is called Activated Roller Belt (ARB).

Plastic Belt Conveyor Manufacturers & Parts

Partial List of Manufacturers

Bastian Automation Engineering

Intralox

SpanTech

Dorner

Parts and Accessories

Bastian Solutions has a wide selection of parts and accessories for plastic belt conveyors of all makes and models. If you don’t see what you’re looking for online, please give us a call.